Counter stiffener



March 28, 1933. M, DODGE COUNTER STIFFENER Filed April 19, 1930 Patented Mar. 28, 1933 UNITED STATES MILTON L. DODGE, OF NEWBURYPOR'I, MASSACHUSETTS COUNTER STIFIENER Application filed April 19, 1930. Serial No. 445,582.

This invention relates to the counter portions of shoes and stiifeners therefor, more particularly where the stifieners are molded to shape before being assembled with the other shoe parts. Such stifleners are provided with inwardly directed sole-attaching flanges at their lower edges. The present invention has for its object a construction of stiffener wherein a close joint between the sole and upper materials at the counter portions is produced and at the same time the counter stiffener portion presents a flat upper face from side to side to support a sole part such as the sock lining, or in the case of a turn shoe, the shank piece. To this end the flange adjacent to its outer edge is thickened so as to present a downwardly extending bead portion to hold the upper materials down to the sole member outwardly of the lines of attachment between the two and at the same time to present a flat upper face.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a perspective of a molded counter stiffener constructed according to this invention.

Figure 2 is a detail section through one side of the counter portion of aturn shoe hav- 3O ing a counter stiffener such as is shown in Figure 1.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are detail sections to a larger scale through the marginal portion of a counter stiffener showing modified constructions.

Referring to the drawing, at 1 is indicated a counter stiffener having an inturned marginal flange 2 for attachment to a sole mem- A ber 3 of the shoe. This flange, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, is provided with a downwardly depressed marginal portion 4: forming a bead 5 extending a substantial distance inwardly of the inner side wall of the stiffener, which in the completed shoe, as shown in Figure 2, presses the upper materials 6 againstthe upper face of the sole member 3 outwardly of the stitch line 7 which joins the upper materials to the sole member. This R9 flange portion 2 in the completed shoe is overlaid by a sole member 8 which in the case of a turn shoe .is a shank piece, or in the case of a welt shoe it is an innersole or equivalent. In order that the marginal edge of this sole member 8 may lie substantially flat, the counter stiffener such as is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, has the marginal depression 4: filled with a suitable filler member as at 10. This member may comprise a cord of suitable size and, if necessary, in order that thedepressed portlon may be substantially filled, some kind of plastic filler such as 11, as shown in Figure 3, may be used in addition to the cord. This filler may, if desired, be similar to the cork filler commonly used for filling the inseam portion of shoes, though where the rib forming the head is made sufficiently narrow the cord itself with suitable adhesive for securing it in position may furnish adequate filllng. In place of using a cord for filling, a strip of leather or other suitable material cut to shape, as shown at 11 in Figure 4, may be used. In place of a single strip, scraps of leather may be employed if desired, or material such as rubber may be used in place of a leather or cord, if found more convenient.

In Figure 5 a further modification is shown in which the flange portion 2 of the stiffener is formedstraight from side to side and the downwardly extending bead is formed as a separate element 12 of leather, fiber, rubber or other desired material cut to the desired shape and secured to the outer edge of the flange portion 2 adjacent to its outer edge. In each of these constructions, however, it will be noted that the counter stiffener is provided with the marginal bead extending downwardly about the outer portion of the attaching flange and presents a substantially flat upper face to receive the sole member which overlies it in the completed shoe; By the use of this substantially. flat face the member supported thereby is prevented from being depressed to form a gutter along its margin which might make it less comfortable to the wearer, and at the same time the bead 5 portion which maintains the upper materials down tight against the sole member and thus forms a tight inseam is prevented from pulling upwardly during the service of the shoe. Certain embodiments of this invention 1 having thus been described, it should be evident to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim: 1. A counter stiifener having a sole-attachingrflange, said flange having athickened margin formed to present a substantially flat upper face and a downwardly extending bead extending a substantial distance inwardly of the inner side wall of the stifiener about its margin on its lower face. 7 a 2; A counter stiffener having a sole-attach ing flange, said flange having a downwardly depending portion about its outer margin to form a marginal bead, and means filling said depression. v r V 120 3. A counter stifl'ener having a sole-attaching fiange said flange having a downwardly I depending portion about its outer margin to form a marginal bead, and means filling said depression and presenting with the remainder of. said flange a substantially flat upper surface. f

4. A counter stiffener'having a sole attaching flange provided with a thickened margin formed to present a downwardly extending bead extending a substantial distance inward- 1y of the inner side wall of the stiffener about the margin of said stiflener on its lower face. In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature. 7

MILTON L. DODGE. 

